Antique Japanese Lunch Box — Wood, 1920, Taisho Era (SKU: 25M-508)

Antique Japanese Lacquered Bento Box — Taishō Era, 1920s (SKU: 25M-508)
Crimson Simplicity: A Quiet Elegance for Meals and Memories

Sculpted in the spirit of restrained elegance, this antique Japanese bento box from the Taishō era (1920s) reflects the profound beauty of everyday ritual. Finished in a lustrous, deep crimson lacquer, the surface captures and softens light—like a polished stone warmed by the sun. The gently rounded, fan-like shape departs from standard rectangles, offering both visual interest and a sense of flowing calm.

Originally crafted for personal meals or special occasions, this lunch box embodies the reverence the Japanese place on the act of eating—where every detail, from form to finish, honors the moment. Its smooth surfaces and subtle curves suggest grace in utility, while the hand-lacquered depth reveals generations of skilled craftsmanship.

• Origin: Japan

• Era: Taishō Period (circa 1920s)

• Material: Wood core with traditional urushi lacquer finish

• Use: Bento/lunch box for food presentation or display

• Features:

  • Rich crimson lacquer with smooth, reflective sheen

  • Rare fan-inspired form, symbolizing good fortune and flow

  • Lightweight yet sturdy, functional and decorative

  • Interior likely compartmentalized or stackable (if applicable)

• Dimensions: 8 3/4 Diameter x 2 1/2'H

• Condition: Very good antique condition with light wear appropriate for age

This humble yet radiant piece is more than a lunch box—it is a vessel for memory, mindfulness, and the quiet artistry of daily life in Japan.